Angels move closer to final roster

Angels prospect Garrett Richards finished the spring with a 3.54 ERA in 20 Cactus League innings, making a bid to win the fifth spot in the Angels' starting rotation.AP PHOTO

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Angels first baseman Albert Pujols laughs as a fan jeers him after mistakenly trotting toward his dugout after recording the second out of the third inning against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. PAUL CONNORS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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The Angels' Albert Pujols watches his two-run home run leave the park in the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. PAUL CONNORS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Angels shortstop Erick Aybar fields a sharply hit ground ball by the Cubs' Blake DeWitt for an out in the fourth inning. PAUL CONNORS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick fields a ground ball hit by the Cubs' Steve Clevenger for an out in the fifth inning. PAUL CONNORS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Angels prospect Garrett Richards finished the spring with a 3.54 ERA in 20 Cactus League innings, making a bid to win the fifth spot in the Angels' starting rotation.AP PHOTO

MESA, Ariz. – Angels GM Jerry Dipoto has a few decisions to make over the next week, but he knows what he's shooting for.

"We're going with the 25 guys that fit the best together," Dipoto said as the Angels neared the end of spring training.

Nearly all of those 25 puzzle pieces are already in place. The Angels optioned right-hander Trevor Bell to Triple-A on Saturday morning and did the same with Garrett Richards after his start in the Angels' game against the Cubs. That trimmed their roster to 32 – but it's really not even that many.

Included in that group is outfielder Jeremy Moore who underwent hip surgery on Monday and will be sidelined for 3-5 months. Relievers Michael Kohn (flexor tendon) and Bobby Cassevah (shoulder) are also headed to the DL to start the season due to their injuries.

Regardless of which one wins the fifth spot in the Angels' starting rotation, neither Jerome Williams nor Richards were going to open the season on the Angels' active roster since a fifth starter is not needed until April 15. Richards' demotion Saturday doesn't take him out of consideration for that spot -- he would make two starts in Triple-A before the fifth spot is needed.

That really leaves 28 players vying to be one of Dipoto's best-fitting 25 when the Angels open the season Friday night against the Kansas City Royals. Of that group, outfielder Ryan Langerhans and catcher Hank Conger are likely headed to Triple-A to start the season, leaving Jorge Cantu and Alexi Amarista competing for the last spot on the Angels' bench.

Amarista has been impressive, batting .347 this spring with 13 RBIs and demonstrating the ability to play six positions (second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield spots), albeit on a limited basis.

Cantu has hit .289 this spring and offers none of the versatility Amarista brings. That includes roster flexibility. Amarista still has options and can be moved between the majors and minor leagues without going through waivers. Cantu was signed to a minor-league contract with a May 1 opt-out date – he can choose to become a free agent if he is in the minors at that point.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia has made it clear he values the 30-year-old Cantu's major-league experience and track record as a run producer (three seasons with at least 95 RBIs).

"In the batter's box, this guy is a tough out with runners in scoring position," Scioscia said earlier this spring. "This guy knows his way around situational hitting. He knows his way around RBI situations and his ability to put the ball in play is going to be something that's going to draw his talent to teams. That's why he's getting an opportunity here."

Whichever of the two – Cantu or Amarista – makes the season-opening roster might not be around long. The Angels plan to open the season with 11 pitchers (four starters and seven relievers) then add a pitcher when the fifth starter's spot comes around nine days into the season. That would trim the bench to four players with those spots likely occupied by Maicer Izturis, Bobby Wilson, Mark Trumbo and Bobby Abreu.

The choice between Williams and Richards for the fifth starter spot won't come soon. Both will continue to pitch either in the minor leagues or extended spring training until one is needed on the 15th.

Richards has pitched well this spring. He went six innings in the Angels' 3-3 tie with the Cubs on Saturday, allowing three runs (only two earned) on six hits and a walk.

"I feel good about the outing today. I feel good about my spring training," Richards said. "I did what I wanted to do - go out there, push the envelope and make the decision as hard as I can for them."

Williams made his second spring start, going four innings in a minor-league camp game and allowing one run on three hits while striking out five and throwing 44 pitches.

"Jerome is obviously more polished, more the finished product," Scioscia said of the two. "He's already made adjustments in his game, from his experience in the major leagues before. He's harnessed that so you know what you're going to get. Garrett is not the finished product, not near the finished product. But his stuff is more consistent and it's playing big this spring.

"I think there will be much more clarity to it as we get closer to it (April 15). Where's Jerome going to be? Where's Garrett? ... We don't need to make that decision right now. We've got a lot of things to consider."

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